Stefan Küng of the Tudor Pro Cycling Team won the 18th stage of La Vuelta 2026, an individual time trial covering 32.1 kilometers between El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez de la Frontera. Küng completed the course in 35 minutes and 23 seconds, achieving an average speed of over 54 kilometers per hour. This victory marks his second win in a Grand Tour, a prestigious category of multi-stage road racing events. Callum Thornley of Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe came in second, finishing just two seconds behind Küng, while Joao Almeida of UAE Team Emirates – XRG took third place, 9 seconds behind the winner. Primoz Roglic of Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe finished fourth, 19 seconds behind Küng. Enric Mas of Movistar Team finished 12th, 52 seconds behind Küng. Despite not winning the time trial, Mas retains the red jersey, which signifies the overall race leader. He leads by 1 minute and 37 seconds over Roglic ahead of the last two mountain stages. During the time trial, Mas only lost 33 seconds to Roglic, which means the red jersey was 52 seconds behind Küng at the end of the stage. This stage highlighted the importance of time trials in determining the overall standings, as small time gaps can have a significant impact on the final classification. La Vuelta 2026, like other Grand Tours, is one of the most prestigious events in professional cycling, attracting top riders from around the world. The race consists of multiple stages across various terrains, including flat roads, climbs, and time trials, testing the riders' endurance and speed. The time trial stage in this race was particularly crucial, as it provided an opportunity for riders to gain or lose significant time on the overall leader. Viewers can watch the entire La Vuelta 2026 on HBO Max, which offers comprehensive coverage of the race. The platform provides live broadcasts and highlights, allowing fans to follow the action as it unfolds. As the race moves into its final mountain stages, the competition for the red jersey remains intense, with the outcome still uncertain.